Cannabis just moved from Schedule I to Schedule III — and the biggest implications have nothing to do with lifestyle or politics. In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what reclassification means for the market: who benefits, who loses, and why cannabis stocks dropped on “good” news. They unpack the real unlocks behind the headlines — Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, federally funded research, banking access, and why Big Pharma, consumer giants, and even beer ...
Thrive Market just became the first major online grocer to drop alcohol completely, and the internet is cheering… but the business case isn’t what it seems. In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the move, what the data actually says about drinking trends, and why households, not individuals, tell the true story. We cover: Why “54% of adults drink alcohol” is the wrong metric for retailersThe hidden logistics + regulatory friction behind alcohol shippingHow Thrive’s bran...
Netflix just shocked Hollywood with a $72B bid for Warner Bros, the biggest media deal of the decade. But behind the headlines is a fight over market share, regulation, and the future of streaming. In this episode, we break down: Why Netflix is suddenly willing to buy instead of buildHow HBO, Warner Bros, and gaming change Netflix’s strategyThe regulatory risk (and why Trump and Paramount matter)Whether this deal can ever pay for itselfWhat this means for the future of streaming bundles and p...
Best Buy was supposed to be dead. Instead, it just raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook. In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into why Best Buy is outperforming in a “K-shaped” economy, even as everyone keeps blaming the consumer and inflation. They break down: How Best Buy is still winning on laptops, gaming, and smartphonesWhy AI-enabled laptops and new consoles are quietly driving an upgrade cycleThe role of predictable sale moments (Prime Day, back-to-school, Black Friday)...
Bath and Body Works used to own the mall fragrance space. Now traffic is shrinking, margins are squeezed and a new CEO is blaming the old playbook. In this episode, we break down what went wrong and whether the turnaround plan has a real shot. We cover: How chasing “adjacent” categories like shampoo and laundry backfiredWhy discounting destroys price integrity in a brand-led businessThe missed opportunity in e-commerce and Amazon resellersWhat Bath and Body Works can learn from Walmart, Targe...
Panera used to dominate fast casual. Now traffic is falling and leadership is scrambling to turn it around. In this episode, we unpack: How cost cutting changed salads, sides, and the in-store experienceWhy menu complexity and pricing confuse customersThe barbell strategy Panera is betting on for its comebackWhat we’d do differently on pricing, testing, and customer researchA practical breakdown of what happens when spreadsheets win over the customer experience. Partner Links: Learn more abou...
The U.S. stops minting new pennies. Cost savings help, but do second-order effects matter more? We dig into: Why it cost ~4¢ to make 1¢$56M savings vs real economic impactRounding rules, cash users, and pricing behaviorCard mix, tipping culture, and “two-way door” policyA quick, practical look at what this means for consumers and businesses. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Chapters:&nbs...
CoreWeave isn’t OpenAI or Nvidia, but it’s powering both. We unpack how this lesser-known company became essential to the AI ecosystem, including: What CoreWeave actually does and why it mattersHow $55B in backlog signals explosive demandWhy data centers, not apps, may define the next AI waveWhat an “AI capex bubble” could look likeA fast, insightful breakdown of the infrastructure race behind AI’s biggest players. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management...
Retailers plan the lightest holiday hiring since the Great Recession, but spending is still projected to top $1T. We dig into: Why demand smoothing and e-comm shift cut seasonal rolesHow “slower” in-store flow can increase basket sizeWhat segmentation and channels mean for labor needsWhy tariff headlines often overstate price impactActionable takeaways for leaders on staffing, ops, and margin protection. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock ...
The FAA just announced flight cuts at 40 U.S. airports, all tied to the government shutdown. In this bonus episode: Why air traffic control staffing is reaching a breaking pointHow airlines like Delta and United will decide what to cancelWhat smart leaders do when government policy hits business operationsA quick 15-minute breakdown on policy, pressure, and decision-making when the skies (and D.C.) shut down. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; un...
Pinterest just had one of its worst trading days ever, and blamed tariffs. We dig into what’s really behind the drop: Why ad revenue might be a Pinterest problem, not a tariff problemHow user behavior has shifted away from “mood board” cultureWhat it would take for Pinterest to stay relevant in an AI-driven shopping worldPlus, Namaan and Jenny Rae debate whether Pinterest’s next move is reinvention or acquisition. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management ...
Namaan and Jenny Rae break down PayPal’s new integration with ChatGPT and what it means for e commerce. They cover how checkout could live inside AI, who wins and loses across retailers and suppliers, and why PayPal’s first dividend signals a new chapter. They also map OpenAI’s business model today. Subscriptions. Enterprise licensing. Future transaction fees. Possible ads. What shifts when 800 million people use ChatGPT weekly. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Ma...
UPS posted a surprise beat and a bold turnaround. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down where the 34,000+ cuts land, why Amazon volume fell 21 percent, and how route consolidation, asset light moves, and small business focus could reshape holiday shipping. We also cover tariffs and the de minimis change, plus why supply chain consulting is set to boom. Chapters 02:58 Understanding UPS's Business Model and Challenges05:57 UPS's Turnaround Strategy and Job Cuts09:01 Financial Performance and Ma...
Pokémon and Taylor Swift trading cards are making a billion-dollar comeback, and Target and Walmart are cashing in. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what this craze says about retail strategy, consumer behavior, and the strength of the U.S. shopper heading into the holidays. Links Mentioned Pokémon, sports trading card boom boosts Target, Walmart ahead of holiday season (CNBC)Labubu Dolls and the Business of Scarcity (previous episode)GM stock soars 15% as automaker raises guidance, beat...
Nestlé just announced 16,000 job cuts, one of the largest in modern CPG history. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what this massive restructuring says about the company’s new strategy, how it mirrors the playbooks of Kraft Heinz and Hershey, and what it reveals about the future of global consumer brands. They unpack how Nestlé defines “winning,” why the market rewarded layoffs, and what every business leader can learn about growth, portfolio management, and decision-making under pressure. Lin...
Walmart is making a push on U.S. manufacturing, and says it’s good business. Today, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s signal versus spin, where onshoring can actually cut costs, and why category-by-category moves matter more than headline percentages. We get into supplier power, inventory timing, vertical integration in beef, and pharma basics like bringing amoxicillin back onshore. Plus, a personal investing lesson from Jenny Rae’s grandmother: buy what you never plan to sell. Tell us h...
Delta just posted blockbuster earnings, and it’s not because more people are flying. Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack how Delta’s $8B profit engine runs on premium seats, credit card partnerships, and a bet on wealthy travellers. They dive into what makes Delta’s “premium economy” the most profitable cabin in the sky, why Buffett once got airlines wrong, and how rivals like United and Southwest are scrambling to catch up. Links mentioned in the episode: Fortune magazine articleDelta's latest 10-KE...
Private markets are courting everyday investors. Why now, and what should you do about it? In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the “retail revolution” in private investing, explaining why firms like Ares are turning to individuals and how private credit is reshaping access to capital. You’ll learn: Why private funds suddenly want retail investorsHow private credit works (and why it’s booming)The tradeoffs: liquidity, fees, and riskWhether private assets belong in ...
Warren Buffett is still making big moves at 95 years old. His latest play? A $10 billion bet on OxyChem, the petrochemical arm of Occidental. In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what makes this deal stand out. They break down the financial engineering behind it, why debt reduction matters in today’s macro climate, and how it fits into the broader Buffett Playbook. From shareholder buybacks to Buffett’s trademark “handshake” style, this is a masterclass in d...
Claire’s is back in the headlines after its latest bankruptcy and acquisition by Ames Watson, the firm behind Lids. Can a nostalgic mall brand really be turned around in today’s retail environment? In this episode, we unpack Claire’s challenges, the role of experience in modern retail, and what this deal signals for the future of malls. Timestamps: [07:15] What Made Claire’s a Rite of Passage [10:22] Bankruptcy and the Ames Watson Acquisition [14:17] Who Ames Watson Is and Their Playbook [16:...